The Cupertino Courier

Sports

Martino, Rafloski lead United 92 to title

By Mike Barnhart

Outstanding defense and clutch penalty kicks were instrumental for the De Anza Force United 92 under-15 boys team as it captured the division title in the California Cup tournament in Sacramento.

In the largest and most prestigious youth soccer event in Northern California, the Force performed masterfully, winning four and tying two of its six games.

Led by goalkeeper Dylan Martino, the Force did not allow a goal during its last three matches, including the championship contest against the USA 17 Academy Titans of the De Anza Youth Soccer League. Matt Rafloski scored both goals as the Force blanked the Titans 2-0 for the championship on June 24.

"The team played hard the entire weekend and really came together," coach Olly Bayliss said. "I was impressed with the effort of all our players, as playing six games in three days is really tough. But they gutted it out and won the cup."

Since the California Cup success, the Force has been ranked No. 10 in Northern California, one position ahead of the Titans.

Getting to the championship match was no easy chore. Scoreless ties in regulation play forced quarter-final and semi-final round matches to be settled by penalty kicks. After getting through the quarterfinals by edging the Mountain View/Los Altos Raptors 4-3 on penalty kicks, the Force squared off with MDSL United of Concord in the semifinals.

Brett Serviss, Josh Lefevre, Rafloski, Anthony Copriviza and John Richardson all converted penalty kicks, giving the Force a 5-4 advantage and boosting the local club team into the finals.

The Force played to a pair of 2-2 draws on the first day of the three-day tourney, opening in 92-degree heat against the California Rush of Sacramento and returning late in the afternoon against the Walnut Creek Diablos. Unfortunately, Kyle Campbell suffered a broken nose in the first match of the day and could not play for the rest of the tourney.

The Force earned a victory to start the second day, 2-1 over Atlas Academy of Merced, setting up the quarter-final match against the MVLA Raptors.

Players on the club team come from seven different cities, including Cupertino, Saratoga, Sunnyvale and San Jose.

For more information on the De Anza Force, visit the club's website at www.deanzaforce.org.